Training Tips: Encouraging Good Behavior
As a dog owner, it is best to know how to approach bad behavior and encourage good behavior instead. Keep in mind that even older dogs can have bad behavior and it is not just related to puppies. Throughout the course of this article, we will teach you some ways to help your dog learn good behaviors in no time!
- Less Noise – Let’s face it…some dogs love to bark! This can be hard to tackle as our immediate response may be to tell them to stop or be quiet. Positive reinforcement can help you teach your dog to stop barking. Your four-legged friend may bark if they are in their kennel. This is their way of trying to get your attention. We recommend that you ignore this behavior. Once they are quiet, reward them with a treat! If you have a toy in your hand and they start to bark, wait for them to stop barking and then throw the toy. The best thing that you can do is determine why they are barking in the first place and then go from there.
- Encouraging Calm Behavior – There are some dogs who get overly excited. Do not consider this to be a bad thing as it may be their natural reaction! If your dog is excited and pulls on their leash or starts to jump on you, it is time to encourage calm behavior. If you have a problem with how energetic your dog is when they greet you at the door, do not touch them or speak to them. Ignore and turn away from them. When they calm down, stop jumping, or walk away, reward them with a treat. Always remember to be consistent with this training method as it will take time!
- Recall – At times, it may be frustrating when your dog doesn’t remember what to do when you say “come” or “here”. Keep in mind that this is not always because they are being disobedient. In fact, they may not recall the phrase at all. Try using the phrase “come”. Once they acknowledge it and look at you, you will drop a treat. Your dog will understand and master recall when you incorporate positive reinforcement along the way.
These are just a few tips on how you can encourage good behavior in your dogs. Once again, dogs of all ages will encounter bad behavior along the way. It is your responsibility of a dog owner to stay consistent, patient, and positive throughout their training. This will yield the most success in the long run!
